Experts recommend leaving leaves on the ground to protect wildlife

NORTH MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) — Many of our lawns, driveways and sidewalks are covered in leaves.

Some rain and wind this week has brought down more leaves and now it’s time to rake. But what to do then?

“The best thing you could do is set aside a space and build some kind of protective enclosure, essentially a container,” said EGLE Compost Program Coordinator Aaron Hiday. “If it’s small trays, you can even use a snow fence if you just make it temporary, but essentially create a place where you can stack the leaves.”

This containment will allow the leaves to compost in a specific area without creating a mess throughout the yard.

While some may think it’s better to burn them because it’s easy, this is actually probably the worst option of all.

“The reason it’s better than combustion is because when you burn, you add carbon to the atmosphere. And we are all concerned about climate change,” Hiday said. “But the other part of it too is just smoke. about where you live may bother your neighbors, may be unpleasant to someone.”

According to the DNR and Hidaya, the best option is to leave them and do nothing, as this benefits the small insects and animals that use them as temporary homes for the winter.

“This is very important habitat for our native insects and wildlife,” DNR Wildlife Coordinator Rachel Lincoln. “There are so many species that spend the entire winter in our backyards whether we see them or not. And these fallen leaves work.” it’s the perfect protective layer for them from snow and cold temperatures.”

From bumblebees and luna moths to frogs and salamanders, leaves are essential for every aspect of an ecosystem to thrive from winter to spring.

“They may seem like just piles of leaves, but they are actually the base of the food chain,” Lincoln said. “They are very important not only for pollinators and insects, but also for some of our higher plants. predators such as eagles, black bears or coyotes.”

So, if you’re wondering what to do, consider putting away your fall rake and hugging the leaves.